Cost of Living & Housing in Lancaster
Lancaster's cost of living combines a meaningfully affordable, appreciating housing market with New Hampshire's real no-income-tax, no-sales-tax structure -- set against Coos County's genuine, documented economic distress.
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Learn moreA meaningfully affordable, appreciating housing market
Lancaster's own median home price ran approximately $280,000 (Ownwell average sale price), with Redfin's most recent reviewed month showing an even higher $310,000 median sale price -- up a real 19.7% year-over-year (base record).
A 1.92% effective property tax rate and a $3,700 median tax bill
Lancaster's own 1.92% effective property tax rate (Ownwell) runs close to New Hampshire's high statewide average (approximately 1.93%) but below Coos County's own 2.43% average, producing a $3,700 median annual tax bill (base record).
New Hampshire's no broad-based income tax and 8.5% Meals & Rooms Tax
New Hampshire has no broad-based tax on wages or salaries and no general sales tax, though it does levy a real, targeted 8.5% Meals & Rooms Tax on restaurant meals and lodging (base record; see new-hampshire.js).
Coos County's real, documented economic distress
Coos County carries an official 'distressed place-based economy' designation, with a per capita income ($36,850) well below the state average ($50,867) and a poverty rate (12%) nearly double the state's 7.2% figure -- Lancaster's own poverty rate ran 19.2% (base record).
Key takeaways
- Lancaster's median home price runs approximately $280,000-$310,000, meaningfully below New Hampshire's statewide housing figures.
- Lancaster's own 1.92% effective property tax rate produces a $3,700 median annual tax bill, below the Coos County average.
- New Hampshire levies no broad-based income tax and no sales tax, but does levy an 8.5% Meals & Rooms Tax.
- Coos County's official 'distressed place-based economy' designation and Lancaster's 19.2% poverty rate are real, disclosed cost-of-living headwinds -- confirm current local employment data directly.
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